/
i>   \kJq    * July 3. 1940
Sir:
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your
<j/j^   note no. 306 of July 3, 1940 Inquiring whether the
Government of the United States would be willing,
if it should prove necessary to withdraw the British
consular officers from French North Africa, to under-
take the protection of British interests in Algeria,
Morocco and Tunisia.
I am happy to assure you that the Government of
the United States is willing to undertake the protection
of British interests in the territories mentioned should
the contingency referred to arise.   Every effort will be
made to extend to British persons, property and interests
such protection as may be possible within the limitations
of
The Right Honorable
The Marquess of Lothian,C.H
British Ambassador.
Washington, D, C,
of and subject to the reservations imposed by the
conditions of modern warfare and subject to the
additional reservations which may be imposed by
difficulties of communication between the outlying
British consular offices and the American consular
offices at Tunis, Algiers and Casablanca.
Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my highest
consideration.